Incremental equations in curvature-dependent surface elasticity
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We develop a general incremental framework for hyperelastic solids whose surfaces exhibit both stretch-dependent and curvature-dependent elastic behavior. Building upon a variational formulation of curvature-dependent surface elasticity, we derive compact governing equations expressed in a coordinate-free Lagrangian setting that remain valid for arbitrary geometries. Linearization about an arbitrarily large finite deformation yields incremental bulk and surface balance laws that closely resemble the classical small-on-large theory, but are now extended to include surface-curvatureinduced stresses. The applicability of the general theory is demonstrated by analyzing the onset of periodic beading in a soft cylindrical substrate coated with a surface layer exhibiting stretching- or curvature-dependent behavior, illustrating how surface stretching and bending effects influence instability thresholds for both compressible and incompressible bulk. This unified formulation thus provides a foundation for studying stability phenomena in elasto-capillary systems where surface curvature plays a critical mechanical role.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Yu, Xiang, Šmejkal, Michal, Horák, Martin
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7119483547
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